Five Minutes With An Angel

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of some of the world's most in-demand models - including Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio - Lais Ribeiro joined the ranks of Brazilian Victoria's Secret Angels this year. As she joins another fellow Angel, Candice Swanepoel, as an ambassador for philanthropic brand Bottletop, we caught up with the pretty 25-year-old to talk motherhood, modelling and devastating fashion injuries.

You became an Angel this year (congratulations!) - how did thatfeel? Where were you when you found out and how did you react?What's the best thing about being an Angel?

I was so excited that I cried! Tears of happiness, of course. I was shooting an editorial in Mexico and the team thought something bad had happened when they saw me crying… It was the opposite! I'm still pinching myself. The best part of all is being able to have an even deeper connection with my VS family.

Lais Ribeiro: Catwalk CV

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You used to do a lot of catwalk, but havescaled back in recent years and are doing much more editorial - whyis that? Is it a conscious decision?

Walking in shows is so great. It's such a privilege to be the first to see each designer's collection before the editors and the public. I enjoy it all… shows, advertising, editorial - but there's only one of me so I can't be in two places at one time.

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Your seven-year-old son Alexandre must bebeginning to understand more clearly what you do for a living. Doyou talk to him about your job?

He actually doesn't really know what I do. When my Self story came out, he saw the pictures and asked if it was me… I said it was me and that it's my job and he replied, 'What? Are you famous or something?'

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Many models who have become mothers whileyoung - Jourdan Dunn for example - have talked about how much moreit motivates them to achieve and succeed in their career. Has thatbeen the same for you? What else has it changed?

Having a child changes everything, obviously. Yes, it's motivated me more to be the best person I can be and to be a true role model for him.

Have you spent much time with the otherAngels since you were all confirmed? Are there friends of yoursamong the group?

I've been shooting for VS for quite some time so over the years, I've built deep friendships with a love of the most recent Angels. I've always looked up to Adriana and Alessandra. I've also become very close to Behati, Candice and Jac because we've spent the most time together.

Lais Ribeiro: Catwalk CV

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There are lots of Brazilians among the VSgroup - seven including you in the last show - is it nice to haveyour fellow Brazilians around you? What do they understand aboutyou that other nationalities might not?

Brazilians share a love for great food. Besides a common language, Adriana, Isabeli, and Alessandra and I share a bond as mothers.

You are the only model who has ever beenconfirmed for a VS show and then pulled out on the day due toinjury - how did you feel that day?

That was a devastating experience, but I was so honoured to be included in the video the following year. I was touched by how kindly my VS family handled it and honoured that I was featured in such a beautiful manner.

What do you like to do when you're not at work? Where are youbased most of the time?

I'm based in NYC but travel all over the world. I'm never in the same place each week! When I'm not working, I usually spend most of my time with my son.

If you could talk to your 10-year-old selfwhat would you tell her? Did she think she'd be a full-time modelone day?

If I could talk to my 10-year-old self I would tell her to love herself, and keep up the hard work. My focus at the time was on school, my dream was to study medicine. I have been so blessed.

What's the best lesson you've learned from working in thefashion industry?